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  India is a large country with a huge population and, as a result, the varieties of traditional dress across the country are extremely diverse. However, the styles are often variations on a few traditional garments that have been worn in India and throughout South Asia for centuries. These includes saris, dhotis and turbans, among others.
  
  

Sari

• Saris are the most common female garment worn in India. A sari is comprised of a piece of cloth made from cotton, silk or a synthetic material that is 15 to 21 feet long. The cloth is wrapped around the body with the end left loose or draped over the head. The end of a sari is known as a pallu. The borders of the fabric are often embroidered.
  
  

Shalwar

• A shalwar is a traditional pair of loose-fitting women's pants that are tight around the ankles. Shalwars are most common in East India, and are typically worn with a long tunic called a kameez and an unstitched piece of material worn as a shawl over the upper body called a dupatta.
  
  

Lengha

• A lengha is a formal garment worn at weddings, religious ceremonies and other formal events. A lengha is a long skirt that comes in several styles. A gaghara lengha is a fully flared skirt with a wide matching belt. Garara lenghas are split-skirts that look similar to bell-bottom pants. Sharara lenghas look much like gagharas, but they are cut in an A-line pattern and usually have a flare that begins at the knees.
  
  

Kurta

• A kurta is a long, loosely-fitted shirt with no collar that is traditionally white. Kurtas usually extend to the knee or farther. Kurtas are worn by men and women, and are considered appropriate for formal and casual occasions. Kurtas are typically worn with a pair of loose-fitting drawstring pants called paijamas.
  
  

Dhoti

• A dhoti is a garment formed by wrapping a piece of cloth around the waist and legs. This is a common garment in East India, and is traditionally white or cream-colored. Dhotis are often worn with kurtas.
  
  

Turban

• An Indian turban is comprised of one piece of material cut much like a scarf, and is wrapped around the head. Turban styles vary from small simple wraps to large, colorful majestic headpieces used to signify a person's class. A turban cloth is usually about 15 feet long, and is unwrapped and rewrapped whenever taken off or put on.
  
  

Lungi

• A lunghi is a simple short dress worn by men and women. Lunghis are sewn like a skirt, setting them apart from dhotis. Lunghis always have a horizontal stripe at the top and bottom of the skirt.